BUT I don't think the Rays have the stamina to make it another month, the sox do.
I really don't want to pick on a newbie, but I guess I am getting a little tired of hearing statements like this on my show, on NESN and now peppered on this message board. What, exactly, does stamina have to do with? Experience plays some role but, in the end, talent trumps experience.
I don't suppose any Sox fans that make comments like this one remember 2005? Boston took on the upstart and 'inexperienced' Chicago White Sox. You know, the same White Sox that lubed up both feet and shoved them up Boston's collective asses while sweeping them out of the playoffs in embarrassing fashion?
Facts are facts. Tampa Bay is unreal at home. Boston has one win at the Trop all season. In the past six games Boston managed to win twice. Tampa Bay won in every way possible in the other four games. They blew Boston out, they won close games, they took Boston to extra innings, they won in walk off fashion.
May I also remind some of you that Boston's likely round one draw is going to be Anaheim. The same Anaheim that is 8-1 this season against Boston?
Here are some realities: This offense needs JD Drew who, at last check, is MIA. This team needs help in the bullpen which has been shakey, at best, since the all-star break. Even Papelbon has been struggling. Matsuzaka is lucky to not be 2-17 with an ERA of 7.65 at this point. He's the #2 starter on this team on paper and can't get out of the 5th inning. Boston's offense has little to no punch in batters 7, 8 and 9.
Tampa, meanwhile, has strength in starters 1, 2, 3 and 4. They have great depth in the bullpen. Solid defense.
I think it is pretty important to look at these teams objectively and that seems to get lost.
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